Chapter 6: The Challenge of Kindling a Fire

Chapter 6: The Challenge of Making Fire

Unfortunately, due to the live broadcast, any helpful messages in the chat were filtered out. As a result, Xu Yi couldn’t see those comments.

The camera could capture a fairly distant view, so the audience noticed an animal about ten meters away from Xu Yi. An animal meant food.

Although they had seven or eight pounds of loquats, protein was crucial in the wilderness.

Sadly, Xu Yi searched for that animal three times while gathering dry wood but never found it. By the time he headed in that direction, the animal had long gone.

Xu Yi not only collected a lot of firewood but also filled his woven basket with plenty of leaves. Sleeping on the rock without some kind of bedding was impossible—they both couldn’t lie directly on the uneven surface of the massive stone.

The rock’s surface was irregular, requiring a thick layer of leaves to make it bearable. Gathering leaves was easier since they were abundant around the stone. A large area of the rock was covered with a thick layer of leaves, leaving the rest of the space for making a fire.

Still uneasy, Xu Yi collected small stones to form a fire pit on the rock, preventing embers from flying onto the leaves and igniting them.

“Now, I’ll try to make a fire,” he said.

He picked up two flint stones and some dry moss, bringing the stones close to the moss and striking them together rapidly. Sparks flew but failed to ignite the moss he had prepared.

After many attempts, his hands trembled from the repeated strikes. The flint stones emitted a distinct smell.

[Using these flint stones to start a fire is so difficult—better to remove the phone battery and use it to ignite a fire.]

[It’s the tinder’s fault; this moss is too coarse. Fluffy tinder would make it much easier.]

[Why not use dry wood to start the fire? Just carve a groove and rub a stick continuously—that works too.]

[It’s catching! A spark just ignited.]

[Number 1, blow quickly, or it’ll go out.]

Xu Yi hurriedly scooped up the moss ball and began blowing on the sparks. The sparks spread to the nearby moss, releasing smoke.

After persistent blowing, the moss finally ignited. Xu Yi quickly placed it into the prepared pile of leaves, grabbing more leaves to place on top, all while continuing to blow.

When the leaves caught fire, Xu Yi finally exhaled in relief.

“Daddy is amazing—we have fire!” Su Keke clapped her little hands excitedly, fully supportive.

Xu Yi glanced back at Su Keke and smiled gently. Although his hands were red and sore from the effort, seeing her happy made it worthwhile.

[Great, there’s finally fire.]

[With fire, it’s much safer. Keke won’t be so afraid.]

[Day one, Number 1’s performance is decent. I wonder how many days they can last.]

[So far, more than half the people still haven’t made fire. Even with phones and such, no fire in the wild is dangerous.]

[Everyone’s trying hard; not everyone can find flint stones.]

“Keke, if you’re hungry, eat some loquats. Tomorrow, Daddy will try to catch an animal for us.”

Saying this, Xu Yi grabbed a handful of loquats himself. After doing so much alone, he was indeed tired and hungry.

“Daddy, are we never going back?” Su Keke, though only six, was more mature than most children her age.

“We can go back, but Daddy wants to stay here for a hundred days before returning.”

Su Keke nodded happily. “I’ll stay with you for as long as you stay, Daddy.”

Xu Yi patted her head gently. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you and won’t let you get hurt.”

Su Keke smiled sweetly and grabbed some loquats. She felt safe with Xu Yi around.

Growing up in the village, she was no stranger to the mountains. At night, the village streets had few lamps and were dark, yet she and her friends ran around freely without fear.

Though the surroundings were pitch black now, Su Keke didn’t find it frightening. She was also used to the sounds of insects.

[Keke is so brave. If it were me, I’d have started crying by now.]

[Having Number 1 around makes her less scared. But the live chat is ruthless—having admitted their mistake, they still won’t send them back!]

[Keke is so well-behaved and sensible.]

[Completely charmed by Keke; otherwise, I’d have switched to another stream.]

[May I ask Number 1 where I can adopt such a cute and sensible daughter?]

“Keke, let’s watch cartoons,” Xu Yi said.

Knowing the tablet battery wouldn’t last until they returned, he decided to let Keke use it up. He also planned to dismantle the tablet.

It was a large 10-inch tablet; the metal back could be repurposed into a small pot. Having a small pot to boil water or cook in the wilderness would be very convenient.

[Wow, watching cartoons in the wilderness of a parallel world? Number 1, you’re so creative.]

[This helps ease Keke’s fear and helps her adapt faster to the wild. I think Number 1’s idea is very reliable.]

[Watching cartoons too—so impressive.]

[Among ten thousand people, you’re the most skillful.]

[Number 1 really spoils the kid.]

[I think Number 1 will regret it. He could have removed the battery and used it for the phone, letting the phone last longer.]

[Yes, modern phones have compasses. Extending phone use has many benefits.]

[Sounds like you have the tools to dismantle and connect batteries to phones. This is the wilderness, not your home.]

[Number 1’s watch has a compass too. I have the same model—great for outdoors, waterproof, compass included, measures air pressure and altitude, with both mechanical and electronic modes.]

[I think their phones and tablets can all be repurposed into more useful tools.]

[Exactly, the sooner they modify them, the better the advantage.]

[Why don’t you all give some advice? Use your brains!]

[They can’t see the suggestions anyway; the live chat blocks them. Didn’t everyone know that when the animal was spotted?]

(End of chapter)